What season are you going into, ParadisePrincess? If you are about to go into summer with lots of active growth ahead, then I would suggest jumping up from 4 inch pots to 6, as adeniums can grow fast! Plastic is easier to move around and less liable to break, as well as cheaper. Especially for your largest seedlings. But your smaller ones may only be ready for 5 inch pots if they haven't grown as much. Photos always help us to advise better when we can see their size, what they are in now and how much they fill them, and the pot samples you might move them into.

Mahalo, ParadisePrincess!

Great advice from Hyn. Photos really do help. I advise that you use your judgement.

Adeniums are succulents and hold a tremendous amount of water in their roots, caudex, and stems. This is why you can leave them out of their pots for two months. It is also the reason why you cannot allow them to remain wet too long or they can succumb to rot. There is a soil volume vs plant mass principle that applies to all succulents. You never want to plant a succulent in more soil volume than necessary because the soil will retain water longer, increasing the chances for rot. Succulents like to drink up and dry out ... We say they don't like "wet feet." When you repot, simply leave approximately 1" of space on all sides at the widest part of the plant, usually at the roots.

When it comes to soil, you have to make amendments that work for your region. Be careful with soil that hardens. I have given adeniums to my neighbors with clear instructions on substrate. The ones who chose to use local ready mixes have tiny plants in contrast to those who continue to use the loose soil I gave them. Our regions are similar ... I am in the US Caribbean. Soil-less substrate does not work for me. My plants wilt in it because we receive very high lumen, scorching sun. I am currently using a fast draining substrate for all my succulents: equal parts soil, perlite, pine bark, with 1/4 part gritty river sand. To that, you can add compost and, in smaller amounts, worm castings, lava rock, activated charcoal (not BBQ briquettes), etc. Beginning at age 1 month, it is a good practice to fertilize weekly at 1/4 strength, as these are heavy feeders. Alternately, you can feed monthly.

In terms of pots, clay always wins hands-down because of their looks and porosity. They allow the roots to breathe, particularly in hot climates. Plastic pots do not breathe and temperatures at the root level can increase significantly. That said, it is my practice to grow my plants in plastic pots for two reasons: they are inexpensive and they do not overly constrict ... they expand with the plant. Once I see the pot of older plants deforming, I know it's time to repot. I grow from seed and they remain in plastic pots until approximately age 3 years, which is full maturity. I am considering "forever pots" for next year ,,, they will be clay.

I grow my babies in yogurt cups, which I find perfect up to age 4 months. Then they go into 3" pots and on from there. Each plant grows differently per its genetics. I have little runts in 4" pots that are almost a year old! Just use the 1" around the widest part of the plant principle and you won't go wrong. If you plant an adenium in-ground in your region, it can easily grow 6' within 2 years ... The soil has to be very loose and you have to plant in a quick draining area that doesn't hold stagnant water. My neighbor used fallen leaves from her garden mixed into the soil bed with excellent results. Our ground soil is naturally layered soil, sand, and red clay.

Maria Elena

Thank you, Maria Elena, for your excellent response to my questions.. I have moved 2 plants to six inch pots (one being terra cotta and the other is plastic for comparison sake).. I need to test which type of pot produces the best result with my conditions.. I have had great sucess with both my numerous seedlings and large adult plants using a mix of perlite, lava cinders (for drainage) and commercial cactus/ palm tree "soil"... I have observed that the adeniums sold here (Hawaii) in the garden nurseries are grown in plastic pots, using a great variety of potting mixes.. It appears that "anything" goes here and the plants seem to thrive in whatever is given to them. I have fed my seedlings a weak solution of kelp fertlizer and fish emulsion since they were 2 months old which seems to suit them quite well.. Because of our intense light and heat the seedlings are watered about every 3 to 4 days and the large mature plants drink once a week.. They get a thorough soaking at each watering and the seedlings show fresh growth (leaves and caudex) within a day or two after each soak.. The quick response to water is truly astonishing.. ,The large plants will happily go through a dry period when I leave for a holiday but they are happiest when being doted upon when receiving their regular regimen.. My large plants continuously throw out flowers and are now putting out fresh branch and leaf growth now that Spring had arrived with greater heat and longer days.. To avoid leaf burn, I now water towards the end of the day.. I read that the roots take up water better at night and so far so good.. I think this is why my seedlngs are showing a better growth rate than they did previously.

Great job!